"We're optimistic heading into this holiday. We've seen slow growth over the last 12 months and the trend is continuing," said Curtis Picard, executive director of the Retail Association of Maine.

He said one reason for the optimism is the drop in gas prices. It's a savings people are seeing immediately and keeps extra dollars in pockets.

Picard added that the season is entirely weather dependent, citing last season's snow fall just before Christmas that chilled expectations in the final retail push.

"As long as the weather is favorable, we're pretty optimistic," Picard said.

Shoppers at the Maine Mall said they were feeling good about the lower gas prices as well.

"Definitely with gas prices dropping and stuff, it gives a little bit of confidence to consumers," said shopper Haley Bessette.

University of Southern Maine economics professor Charles Colgan said some shoppers may still be a bit timid.

"Because the growth in the economy remains fairly fragile still and we're still trying to come out of the recovery, I expect some of that will go into savings and paying down debt, as well as going into new spending," said Colgan.

With slow and steady growth in local spending, Colgan said the holiday shopping season should show some positive results.

"I don't look for a really big splurge on the holidays. I do look for a somewhat better holiday season in terms of retail spending than we've seen in the last couple of years," said Colgan.